CHAPTER - 4

Virtualization vs. Cloud Computing: What’s

the Difference?
The terms “virtualization” and “cloud
computing” are often used interchangeably,
but they’re not the same thing.
The software that powers cloud technology is
virtualization, while cloud computing is a
digital service.
Virtualization and cloud computing
technologies share a unique relationship and
often work together.
This article is for business owners,
professionals and anyone else who wants to
understand the differences between
virtualizations and cloud computing.
Virtualization and cloud computing are often
discussed interchangeably, but while they’re
close associated, these tech terms have
crucial differences. Virtualization and cloud
computing are similar technologies, but their
differences are significant enough to affect
your business decisions. This guide will help
demystify the tech behind the jargon and help
businesses determine which technology is
right for them.
Cloud computing comprises software,
hardware and high – level network resources
that individuals and companies can access via
the internet. A cloud computing service
provider will make available several types of
services that support a business’s needs.
For example, a cloud service provider may use
a software – as – a – service (SaaS) model to
deliver software applications to client
businesses. While the software isn’t installed
on user’s desktops, they can access these
applications in a web browser.
Some corporate business clients may need
more advanced services delivered over cloud
computing. These platform – as – a – service
(PaaS) offerings may include databases and
virtual servers. Even more high – level cloud
services are called infrastructure as a service
(IaaS); these solutions support the
components that make platforms and service
function, such as physical servers, device
storage and other networking components.
Virtualization software separates computer
environments from physical infrastructures so
that you can run multiple operating systems
and applications simultaneously on the same
machine. For example, in a workspace
virtualization model, if you do most of your
work on a Mac but use select applications
exclusive to PCs, you can run Windows on a
virtual machine to access those applications
without switching computers.
“Virtualization software….enables businesses
to reduce IT costs while increasing the
efficiency, utilization and flexibility of their
existing computer hardware”, said Mike
Adams, vice president of product and
technical marketing at Ivanti.
Virtualization has many practical applications,
with two mains ones.
Application testing: Virtualization allows
software developers to test their applications
in various environments without setting up
several different computers. If the application
crashes on the virtual machine, they can close
and restart the virtual machine to a previous
state without damaging the computer.
Server consolidation: One of the most
significant benefits of virtualization is server
consolidation. Instead of maintaining multiple
servers with unique functions, server
virtualization allows you to split a single
server’s resources for multiple purposes.
Often, server resources are underutilized,
resulting in businesses spending too much on
server upkeep for a little output.
Virtualization is the fundamental technology
that powers cloud computing. Virtualization is
software that manipulates hardware, while
cloud computing cloud refers to a service that
results from that manipulation. You can’t have
cloud computing without virtualization.
“Virtualization is a foundational element of
cloud computing and helps deliver on the
value of cloud computing.” Adams said,
“Cloud computing is the deliver of shared
computing resources, software or data – as a
service and on demand through the internet.
Most of the confusion about these terms
occurs because virtualization and cloud
computing work together to provide various
service. The cloud can – and most often does
– include virtualization products to deliver the
computer service, said Rick Phillips, a
consultant at the IT firm Weiden hammer.
According to Phillips, the difference is that a
true cloud provides self – service capability,
elasticity, automated management, scalability
and pay – as – you – go service, which are not
inherent in virtualization.
To best understand the advantages of
virtualization, consider the difference
between a private cloud in a virtualized
environment and a public cloud.
A private cloud, in its own virtualized
environment, gives users the best of both
worlds. It can give users more control and the
flexibility of managing their systems while
providing the consumption benefits of cloud
computing , said John Livesay, vice president
and chief sales officer of InfraNet
Technologies Group.
“Private cloud computing means the client
owns or leases the hardware and software
that provide the consumption model,” Livesay
said. “You pay for resources as you go, as you
consume them, from a [vendor] that is
providing such resources to multiple clients,
often in a co-tenant scenario.”
On the other hand, a public cloud is an
environment open to many users, built to
serve multi-tenanted requirements, Phillips
said. “There are some risks associated here,”
he added, such as having bad neighbors and
potential latency in performance.
With virtualization, companies can maintain
and secure their own “castle”, Phillips said.
This provides several benefits.
Maximized resources: With virtualization, you
can maximize your resources by reducing the
number of physical systems you need to
acquire.